11: Few people realize that large parts of Alaska consist of "temperate" rainforest. The Tongass national rainforest covers most of Southeast Alaska, surrounding the Iinside Passage, home to grizzly bears, bald eagles, and salmon.

12: Ketchikan is known as the "Salmon Capital of the World." | The city boasts a population of 7,400 people.

16: Atrium of the Sun Princess

17: Day 4 Scenic cruising through theTracy Arm Fjord which weaves through the Tongass National Forest for 35 miles. | The shoreline is spotted with waterfalls created by melting snowcaps.

18: Favio marveling at the beauty of God's creation.

20: The Sun Princess passes a sister ship through Tracy Arm. | Sipping on hot cocoa to keep us warm in the Fjords.

21: After the Fjords, we embarked on another adventure in Juneau -- water rafting in Mendenhall Lake right in front of the Mendenhall Glacier.

22: Mendenhall Glacier

24: Juneau is the capital city of Alaska. Its total area makes it one of the biggest towns, in size, in the world.

25: Day 5 Favio and I leaving the ship to tour Skagway, a city of 1,000 residents.

26: Skagway was the gateway to the gold fields for thousands who wanted to get rich quick. This town once reached a pop. of 20,000 in the late 1800s. Today it only has a pop. of 1,000.

27: Saloon life flourished in Skagway as the result of the gold rush.

29: The White Pass Scenic Railway took us up to 3,000 feet over 20 miles of breath-taking sceneries This iron trail was carved through some of the North's most rugged terrain in 1898.

32: Our nightly dinner company included people from Washington, New Mexico, and Kansas.

33: Day 6 The Captain's Night ended with champagne for everyone and dancing for both the crew and guests. | All watch eagerly as the maitre'd poured the last glass with champagne.

34: An eater's paradise on the cruise!

35: Day 6 Our last cruise destination was Victoria, capital city of British Columbia, Canada. Photographed: British Columbia Legislative Building

36: Enjoying the traditional, English teatime experience at the Empress Hotel in Victoria.

37: Our trip ended with Marcus and Michelle picking us from the pier and then giving us a quick tour of Seattle's Fisherman Wharf. | Lastly, we had the opportunity to visit my cousin Martha, her husband Phil, and her two children in Mukilteo, WA.